1 John 3:19-24; 4:2-3 3:19This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. … 4:2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.
It is not often that I use a longer text for devotionals, but this is a passage we may take slowly and develop over the next few days. Dear Readers, I hope you will join me as we delve a little deeper into this familiar passage. Let’s simply begin with the first verse in this text.
1 John 3:19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence:
The first Letter of John was written to the Christians in Ephesus approximately AD95-100. Just knowing this bit of information gives us a clue that the newness factor of being a Christian was perhaps not as vibrant as during the first few years immediately following Christ’s death and resurrection. By now two or perhaps three generations of people separated the years and what was once first-hand knowledge was becoming a practiced belief—something passed down by oral tradition through generations. The very first concerns being addressed in this passage are knowing whether we belong to the truth and knowing whether our hearts are at rest in God’s presence. Those questions were not only relevant then; they are still relevant today well over 1,900+ years later.
Jesus Christ warned in his teachings:
Matthew 24:12-13 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
One thing is certain, the level of wickedness known during Christ’s day has grown exponentially in the world in which we live today. Not only this, but with the passage of years it is tempting for once vibrant Christians to become disheartened and sadly the love in our weary hearts begins to fade. Doubts rear their ugly heads. Numbness and complacency eat away at both motivation and attitude. Yet John’s words reach out to us bringing promise and hope.
How do we know we belong to the truth? We know we belong because we know to Whom we belong; we believe in the name of Jesus Christ. And don’t forget that believing the name of Jesus, means more than simply knowing the moniker by which he is called—it means believing in the total character and quality of who He is—it means believing that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.
How do we know that our hearts are at rest in God’s presence? We know because as we read in Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Knowing Jesus Christ—not just his name, but who he is—our Lord and Savior, gives us the assurance that we belong to the truth. It also provides the peace of knowing we are at rest in God’s presence. In a world devoted to chaos and wickedness, we are at peace because we are devoted to God.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Our world grows further and further away from you. Our hearts are often dismayed. Thank you that in your perfect love and great mercy you deeply care for those who remain devoted to you. Remove any seeds of doubt in our hearts and replace it with your peace.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
The devotional How Do We Know? appeared first on Write From My Heart at
https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment